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Psychology News

These research articles involve many aspects of psychology such as cognitive psychology, depression studies, mental health, stress, happiness and neuropsychology, Scroll below for more specific categories.

Kindness Sparks Cooperation by Boosting Social Connectedness

New research reveals that everyday niceness—like warm tones, smiles, and active listening—can significantly improve teamwork and increase willingness to cooperate. These small acts foster a sense of social connectedness, which serves as the bridge between kindness and collaboration.

How Personality Shapes Emotional Intimacy

While neuroticism is strongly associated with lower relationship satisfaction, the behavioral mechanisms driving this link have remained unclear. In a week-long daily diary study involving 246 participants, researchers identified specific negative and positive behaviors in romantic relationships.

Brain ‘Reset Wave’ May Explain How ECT Rapidly Relieves Depression

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), long misunderstood due to outdated portrayals, remains the most effective treatment for severe, treatment-resistant mental illness. While traditionally thought to work solely through induced seizures, new research reveals that ECT also triggers a second brain event: cortical spreading depolarization (CSD).

Study Ties Racial Inequality to Psychosis in Young Adults

A new study finds that racial inequality and police violence may significantly contribute to higher rates of psychotic episodes in low-income young adults of color. While individual factors like trauma and drug use have long been studied, this research highlights the powerful role of structural oppression.

How Early Life Shapes the Adolescent Anxiety Surge

Adolescent anxiety is on the rise globally, and a new Perspective argues that its roots may begin long before birth. Researchers highlight how maternal stress, caregiving quality, and early environmental cues influence the development of brain systems that regulate emotion and executive function.

Depression Across Life Linked to Greater Dementia Risk

A comprehensive new analysis reveals that depression significantly increases the risk of developing dementia, whether it begins in midlife or later in life. Researchers reviewed and re-analyzed data from dozens of studies to clarify when depression most strongly affects dementia risk.

Some Bosses Yell to Feel in Control, Not Just From Stress

New research shows that some supervisors yell at employees not out of stress but intentionally—to boost compliance and reinforce their authority. Unlike those who lash out from burnout and feel remorseful, these bosses report feeling better after the abuse.

Emotions Echo: Brainwide Timing Patterns Reveal Roots of Feeling

Emotions help guide our behavior, but when they persist too long or arrive at the wrong time, they can cause serious mental health issues. In a landmark study, researchers mapped brainwide activity patterns triggered by an unpleasant but harmless stimulus—eye puffs—in both humans and mice.

Seasonal Sunlight Still Shapes Human Sleep

Despite modern lighting and lifestyle, human sleep patterns remain deeply influenced by seasonal changes in sunlight. New research reveals that our circadian rhythms track daylight shifts across seasons, impacting mood, sleep alignment, and overall health.

How Personality and Family Shape Athletic Self-Perception

A new study of Japanese undergraduates finds that students' perceptions of their own athletic ability are shaped by a mix of personality traits, childhood environment, and social feedback. Those who rated themselves as more athletic also tended to display grit, resilience, and a growth mindset. Factors like early walking age, athletic parents, frequent sports participation, and being called athletic by others were also linked to higher self-ratings.

Singing to Infants Boosts Mood and Bonding

A new randomized study found that when parents sing more frequently to their infants, both babies and caregivers experience measurable improvements in mood and wellbeing. The study involved 110 caregiver-infant pairs who participated in a four-week music enrichment intervention via smartphone.

LLMs Mimic Human Cognitive Dissonance

A new study reveals that GPT-4o, a leading large language model, displays behavior resembling cognitive dissonance—a core human psychological trait. When asked to write essays either supporting or opposing Vladimir Putin, GPT-4o’s subsequent “opinions” shifted to align with its written stance, especially when it “believed” the choice was its own.